ZCM launches extensive, educational website for mining industry!

Lusaka, June 22, 2016– THE Zambia Chamber of Mines today launched an industry website which explains mining to ordinary people.

MiningforZambia.com website is educational and extensive in scope and content, and complements the Chamber of Mines’ existing website – featuring latest industry news from Zambia and around the world, a live updated copper price, tracking of the price of other mineral resources and the Kwacha/US Dollar exchange rate, and features offering a deeper look into mining in the country.

Chamber of Mines president Nathan Chishimba said: “It’s a world-first in the topics covered, the ease of reading and its daily round-up of news and financial information.

“This powerful website is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the role of mining in the Zambian economy and society. We expect readers to return to the site daily, or at least weekly, to keep themselves updated – especially as we continue to add new content. It will appeal to all who follow the mining industry, be they experts or ordinary Zambians,” he said.

MiningforZambia.com is part of an ongoing programme of strategic, public engagement by the mining industry to promote a better understanding of the industry.

The site covers core topics focused on Zambia’s mines, their economic and social contribution, interesting facts about the industry and more.

It follows the launch of the booklet “Understanding Mineral Royalty Tax (MRT)” by the Chamber of Mines earlier this year.

The Chamber also hosted a media conference in December 2015 to explain the causes and the consequences of the global mining crisis resulting from the economic slowdown in China, the world’s largest importer of copper and other industrial metals.

“Mining in Zambia is relatively under-reported, and there are deep and abiding misconceptions about what it actually does and its impact on society and the economy,” Chishimba said. “MiningforZambia.com aims to help correct that.”

The website’s primary content is free for use by the media, or anyone else who wishes toaccessit.

Its five key sections are:

Understanding mining – which covers topics such as starting a new mine, the capital-intensive nature of mining, and why the copper price fluctuates on world markets;

Zambia’s mines – which gives an overview of the Zambian mining sector, the key role played by the “Big Four” mines, and their challenges and opportunities;

Social contribution – which explains, through case studies, how mines contribute to the development of communities;

Economic contribution – which explains how the industry contributes to fiscal and macro-economic development, and how it can stimulate local economic development; and

Did you know – which is packed with fun facts and mind-boggling

It also has a library and downloads section – where open source/ free to use information are shared. “We invite all Zambians to visit the website to learn more about an exciting and challenging industry which plays a critical role in the economy and society,” said Chishimba.